The Mafia's Daughter

Disclaimer: I don't own Good Luck Charlie or that Dog with a Blog

A/N:

Chapter 25 (En Route to Cuba)

The time to fly to Cuba had come. A few weeks had passed as the team was forced to lay low and find shelter for the Walsh family. Gabe felt strong, he was prepared for a fight, but at the same time he was still highly anxious. Perhaps less so than he'd been when this mess started.

The remaining capos were dead no, war had broken out in the streets. Denver police were doing nothing to stop this fight, not that anyone cared. The whole of Colorado knew that the CO Mafia had bit the bullet big time, they were in full support of the extermination. It hadn't been an easy task at all. One of the capos had been found in bed with a prostitute at some hotel room, or moreover, he'd been followed. It was Emmett that broke through the hotel window and fired a rifle shot into the man during the middle of sex. The second Capo had been more of a struggle, managing to wound Damian with two gunshots into his torso before PJ went up behind the man and shot him point blank in the back of the head.

All wounds were healed over and an alliance had been formed with the Cuban mafia. In Colorado, the Bosca family had taken nearly all the rackets, while in Cuba, the Martinez family had been slowly weeding out whatever businesses Don Beppe took over. Still nothing was known of the safety of Jo's family, but one thing was sure, they had the full support of nearly all the mafia families they came around. In one way or another, Beppe repeatedly pissed off a new Mafioso on what seemed to be a daily basis.

Even rescuing Jo's family, he knew they'd never truly be safe. Not now, they'd have a target over their heads unless it was known they were protected. He understood what was to happen, what Don Vitale wanted to discuss with them. It was the same thing he'd discussed with PJ, and that was relocation. PJ would no longer just be Underboss in Colorado, but his power would now extend to the other forty-eight states, given he already had some control and power in New York as well. Together, he and Damian would make up the two most powerful people in the mafia, aside from Don Vitale himself. It both frightened and amazed Gabe to no end. He honestly wasn't sure if he wanted to be a part of the mafia after all was said and done, but he still had time to think on that.

"Kick their asses," Jo's voice came out clear on her side of the phone. Gabe could hear some music in the background, it clashed with the overhead music on the plane. He was in a window seat beside Damian, who was busy reading a magazine. In the seats in front were PJ and Gabe, both discussing random things. It seemed Emmett was taking well the concept of PJ's relocating, though he wasn't too fond of losing his best friend. "Make damn sure my family is safe, Gabe."

"You got it Jo, we won't let anything happen to them." They would actually be meeting Deuce and his father when they stepped foot in Cuba. There would be a mess of Cubans and Italians there from both the Martinez and Bosca families, a small army that would wipe out the compound. Of course, the first step would be taking out Vladimir.

They had attempted to take him out when he 'visited' the states a bit ago, but the assault failed. He saw them coming, swamped them with his guards and fled during the ensuing battle. Gabe ran after him with Emmett, but he got away. This time, they'd be stealthier. They couldn't forget that he would be expecting them still, considering he knew now there was a target over his head. Only Don Beppe thought himself invincible in all of this.

"You're speaking with Deuce of the Cubans, right?"

"Yeah, we've formed an alliance with them as well as Don Rio Garcia. Both Don Garcia and Don Martinez say they will help, and the family is or will be safe." He smiled as Jo breathed in sharply. It was a lot for her to take in, he knew she was also upset over missing the action. He simply could not allow her to be put in danger, plus PJ probably didn't want another person to worry about. Though she could hold her own. He took a moment to look out the window, gazing wistfully at the field of clouds below. "I wish you were seeing the view right now."

"I am. The View is on ABC right now…I've got nothing better to do." He shook his head, chuckling softly at her joke. She let out a sigh. "You heard your brother and Don Vitale, this is for the best. Though it is painful not knowing…not knowing what's to come."

"I know. I'm sorry."

"Don't be. I have faith in you, Gabe. I trust you guys. I know you'll get the job done." A tear dropped from his eyes as his lips curved into a smile and his heart skipped a beat. Her faith was what fueled him. She believed in him, and that was all he needed. "My father's mafia is getting weaker Gabe. Strike now, strike swiftly."

"We will."

"Gabe. Take them all out, even my father. I have a dad, and that's Bennett. Don Beppe will never be my dad. Nothing more than a sperm donor." The bitterness in her voice stung, but he accepted it. Her coldness was not directed to him, and he would take her venom and let it fuel him when he put a bullet between the eyes of the man who orchestrated the abduction of her family and massacre of his.

"Do you think they will take Don Vitale's offer?"

"There's really not much choice, but knowing mom, I think so. She'd rather be in New York where she knows it's safe than to be where she doesn't know for sure whether or not to keep watch over her shoulders."

"Your family will be protected by the Bosca family."

"I know. So will yours, Gabe."

"Yeah. How are they doing?" His heart jumped up when he heard Charlie's voice in the background. He missed his siblings dearly and couldn't wait to get back to them. He listened as Jo laughed at something Charlie was doing.

"They're great. Charlie's been doing some acting with her dolls. She's so adorable. Teddy's doing her best to watch over Charlie and Toby, but occasionally she needs someone to lift her up." Gabe frowned and leaned his shoulder against the wall of the plane. Bob and Amy came to his mind, laughing heartily. It still felt painful, remembering them as if they'd just been there only yesterday, but they were gone now. He couldn't imagine what Teddy must be going through losing them, knowing both her brothers were a part of something so dangerous. PJ had been struck a few times and he stated to not let Teddy know for that very reason. "She's slowly getting better, I think Charlie and Toby are really helping in that sense. Skyler's getting us active too."

"Really? How so?"

"She's getting us out in the garden and teaching us to cook. I've been teaching them some martial arts moves also. The more active the mind and body is, the happier a person will be."

"I suppose so." As long as Teddy was healing, he'd be happy. It was going to take some time, a long time, but he was confident things would get better. "You and Teddy know we'll make it back."

"While true, you can't keep a person from being worried. I think Teddy will always worry about whether or not you and PJ will be safe. I'm worried too, but I try not to dwell on it. I don't want to lose you and my family too, you know."

"You won't lose me."

"I know I won't. I'm confident. I love you, Gabe…still and always."

"I love you too." Stan said something in the background, but Gabe couldn't quite hear it. At the same time, he didn't want to, he still couldn't get over the fact that a talking dog existed in this world. "Can you please tell Stan to stop talking randomly and scaring the crap out of me?"

Jo laughed, "I think he does it on purpose sometimes!" Gabe rolled his eyes and sighed as silence came over the phone. After a few seconds, Jo spoke up once again, a soft sadness lacing her voice. "Have you even talked to Mrs. Dabney yet?" His heart stilled and his body grew tense as guilt hovered over him like a dark cloud.

"No. I don't know what I'd tell her anyway. 'Hey I had to kill your son because he tried to kill my girlfriend and kidnapped her family after killing my parents'?" He glanced over to see Damian arch an eyebrow while still staring at his magazine. "I think it's bad enough she was told he had a 'boating accident', Jo. She lost her husband some time ago, and now she loses her son? It's no wonder that woman is so bitter."

"I know. I'm sorry you got thrust into all of this, Gabe. This life...I wish you weren't a part of it."

"I know. I guess I wouldn't have it any other way though, because it brought you back to me. Now, I can bring your family back. So it's not so bad."

"I don't want to lose you. I know I keep saying that, but Gabe, I just…I can't be tough all the time. I do have some softness in there and well, I don't love anyone else the way I feel for you, so it's more…I can't lose you. Not again. We girls here, we all have something to lose. Skyler, me, Teddy…don't let us down Gabe. Even if you don't save my family, if something happens…just come home. Please."

His lips parted, but he could hardly think of anything to say. There was a shakiness in her voice and it stirred the emotions within him. He wanted to embrace her, tell her it was all right, but here he was on a plane more than a thousand miles away. He felt her fear for the first time, she'd been doing her best to hold it back all this time. He would almost have thought she didn't worry about anything.

"Jo. I promise you…" His muscles tensed and his tone relaxed. PJ glanced over his shoulder to let Damian know they were close to landing. Damian nodded and Gabe breathed in slowly, filling with anxiety and determination. The two forces clashed within, but it was Jo's love and concern that strengthened him all the more. "I will get your family, and we will come home safe."

"Yeah…" Jo emitted a painful chuckle and Gabe raised an eyebrow. "Teddy says 'in one piece, please', and Skyler just nodded her head. We love you guys."

"We won't let you down. The Beppe family…their days are numbered. We love you all too, don't worry too much, we will be back."

"I hope so."

After the plane landed, the group stepped out onto the pavement of the airport. Waiting for them were three men, surrounded by many soldiers. Of the taller men, one was thin and wore a white fedora with a white tuxedo while the other was a bit more muscular with slicked back hair and a proud smirk. In between them was a slightly shorter person, closer to Gabe's age. He had spiky brown hair, bushy brown hair, and a pair of headphones around his neck. He stepped forward and extended a hand.

"Hey, I'm Deuce." Gabe shook his hand and flashed a toothy grin. Things were looking up now, more than they had been in quite some time. Deuce twisted around and pointed to the men. "The one in the grey suit is my father Don Martinez. The man in the white is my girlfriend's father, Don Garcia. The army you see here are our people."

"It is good to meet you," PJ started, "I'm glad we could form this alliance."

"I know you, and I know Jo from briefly meeting her with you guys. That being said, we're more than happy to help. Besides, Beppe's been making a mess of this place."

"It's time to put an end to his regime. This has gone on long enough."

"Agreed."

Closing in, what do you think of the chapter?